JMM founder and tribal icon Dishom Guru passes away at 81

"Adarniya Dishom Guruji has left us all... Today, I am hollow." With these words, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the death of his father, Shibu Soren — a towering figure in tribal politics, founder of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), and three-time Chief Minister of Jharkhand — who passed away Monday morning at the age of 81.

- SHASHI SINGH

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid heartfelt tributes to the veteran politician.

In a condolence message posted on handle X, PM Modi described Soren as a "grassroots leader who rose through the ranks of public life with unwavering dedication to the people."

"Shri Shibu Soren Ji was a grassroots leader who rose through the ranks of public life with unwavering dedication to the people. He was particularly passionate about empowering tribal communities, the poor, and the downtrodden. Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and admirers," PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister also spoke to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, expressing his condolences over the loss of the veteran leader.

Known affectionately across the state as Dishom Guru (the people's tribal leader), Shibu Soren died at 8:56 a.m. at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi, where he was receiving treatment for kidney infection and bronchitis.

"It is with deep sorrow we confirm that Shibu Soren was declared dead this morning after prolonged illness," said A.K. Bhalla, chair of the hospital's nephrology department.